Linking Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait in northwestern Turkey, Istanbul, the country’s largest city, is a beguiling cultural blend of East and West. Visit the twin architectural gems of Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque – masterpieces of Byzantine design, decorated with exquisite inlaid mosaic patterns; take in the lavish quarters and dazzling gem collection of the Topkapi Palace, home to Turkey’s sultans and their families for centuries; or visit the enthralling Basilica Cistern, Istanbul’s ancient water reservoir, now evocatively revamped with ethereal lighting and background music sources. More frivolous pursuits include trawling the Grand Bazaar’s stash of beautifully crafted goods for traditional Turkish kilims and wooden backgammon boards inlaid with mother-of-pearl detail or indulging in fine dining or Mediterranean meze at one of the many eateries in trendy Beyoglu.
Located in the Nevsehir Province of Turkey, the town of Uchisar lies just east of Nevsehir. Perched on a clifftop, the town marks the highest point in the Cappadocia region. The undeniable highlight of this town is the incredible Uchisar Castle, which provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding landscapes including Mount Erciyes. Home to trendy hotels, dreamy fairytale chimneys, and offering an authentic Cappadocian village experience, it is a summer vacation favourite with locals. Uchisar serves as an excellent base from which to explore the region, including the vast valley crowned by pink-and-yellow-hued sand dunes and the pigeon houses of Pigeon Valley.
Just 9 kilometres from the transport hub of Selcuk on Turkey’s Aegean coastline and situated close to the ancient city of Ephesus, Sirince - which means ‘pretty’ in Turkish - is one of the country’s most attractive tourist destinations. With its dramatic mountainside setting and its famous vineyards and orchards, Sirince Village is a food and wine lover’s dream, playing host to thousands of visitors each weekend. The town’s unique (and legally protected) architecture - a sea of white buildings with red-tiled roofs - makes Sirince extremely photogenic, and it is a lovely place to walk around, full of narrow, twisting streets that lead visitors from shop to shop and cellar to cellar. If you need gifts for loved ones back home, the local wine, olives and handmade soap make excellent presents.
Located in the Mugla Province of Turkey’s Aegean Region, Bodrum is a popular access point for travellers arriving by ferry from the Greek islands of Cos and Rhodes. This vibrant, glittering port city makes a fabulous introduction destination to Turkey. For the young and the restless, there’s the city’s legendary, sparkling nightlife – Turks claim that Bodrum has more bars per square kilometre than any other place in Turkey – while history enthusiasts can explore the ancient ruins, elegant historical mosques, and multi-towered castle, dating to the Middle Ages. Alternatively, travellers looking for a more laid-back experience can peruse Bodrum’s lively markets for souvenirs and trinkets, soak up some sun and sea at the peninsula’s lovely beaches, or enjoy leisurely strolls or long seafood lunches on the city’s palm-lined promenade.
In Turkey’s Aegean region, north of Denizli, you’ll find Pamukkale: justifiably one of the most historically relevant and visually arresting places in the country. Over millennia, the calcium oxide-rich waters flowing down the slope of Caldag to the north of the village, gradually built up deposits of white travertine on the plateau below, dotted with no less than 17 hot springs. The pale splendour of Pamukkale, or ‘Cotton Castle’ as it is dubbed, is visible from the town of Denizli, a full 20 kilometres away. Together with Hierapolis (the ancient city on which it was built, with its ruins still visible today), Pamukkale has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to see the ancient ruins of Aphrodisias and Laodicea and, as day-tripping crowds dwindle, spectacular sunsets over the snow-coloured mineral terraces.
Anatolia, Asia Minor or Asian Turkey is the westernmost protrusion of Asia, a region made up by the majority of Turkey’s land. A place of extremes and contradictions, it is home to the ruins of ancient civilisations as well as fast-paced modern cities. Nature enthusiasts have a world to discover: explore the mighty rocks of the Phrygian Valley and the ‘moonscape’ terrain of Cappadocia, traverse the beautiful wooded St Paul Trail, or walk barefoot in the extraordinary bright blue travertines (or terraces), calcite surfaces that overrun with mineral-rich, warm waters in layers of circular shallow pools. Meander through the 3000-year-old Hittites cities, or others dating back a whopping 7500 years, as well as hundreds of Roman archaeological sites. Let your eyes swim in the glorious, colourful patterns of the numerous Seljuk Turkish (pre-Ottoman) mosques and caravanserais.
Antalya, the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort hub blessed with beautiful beaches and lush mountains. Both classically beautiful and stylishly modern, it is a multicultural community where Turkey’s Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths intersect. At the heart of Antalya lies the old city district of Kaleici, with narrow winding cobblestone streets that wrap around the old Roman-era harbour. Some of the other numerous historic sights include the distinctive Fluted Minaret (Yivli Minare), a prime example of Seljuk architecture; and ancient Roman buildings such as the Aspendos Roman theatre, believed to be the most well preserved in the world. Gorgeous white-sanded beaches like Konyaalti and Lara provide idyllic spots to spend the day, fringed by luxurious resorts, hotels, and restaurants. Make sure to visit the glorious Karst Springs, Karain Cave and Koprulu Canyon National Park.
